Part 1: To describe cases of emphysema (subcutaneous and/or mediastinal) and pneumothorax after percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) in a series of 326 patients, and to review the existing literature describing the incidence and possible mechanisms. Part 2: To analyze the potential mechanisms for the development of emphysema and pneumothorax in human cadaver models.

Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in critical care unit patients, the risk of VTE and its prevention have been poorly characterized in this population. Evidence-based thromboprophylaxis guidelines are also not available for these critically ill patients.

The available clinical guidelines have been successful in improving awareness of the inflammatory nature of asthma and have promoted the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) to achieve long-term control of symptoms. Because of lingering concerns over the possible adverse consequences of ICS use, an expert panel was convened with a mandate to identify the critical questions that impact decisions regarding the use of ICSs and to evaluate the available evidence with respect to risk.

To determine the effect of the addition of heliox to standard medical care on the course of acute asthma.

To evaluate, by systematic review, the efficacy of heliox on respiratory mechanics and outcomes in patients with acute asthma.

To provide an evidence-based background for developing the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) lung cancer guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify published lung cancer guidelines and evaluate their quality.

To systematically review the evidence of randomized trials evaluating the effects of residential air filtration systems on patients with asthma.

The aim of this article was to identify the most common sites of obstruction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by a systematic review of published studies.

With the development of percutaneous inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, IVC interruption has become a widely used procedure in patients with or at risk for venous thromboembolism. In an attempt at clarifying the indications for filter placement, a systematic literature review was undertaken.

Since the late 1980s, there has been considerable clinical and academic interest in the use of continuous aerosolized bronchodilators for the treatment of patients with acute asthma. These studies have suggested that this therapy is safe, is at least as effective as intermittent nebulization, and may be superior to intermittent nebulization in patients with the most severely impaired pulmonary function.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes are important proinflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma. Since bronchial hyperresponsiveness is a noninvasive surrogate marker of asthmatic airway inflammation, we evaluated the bronchoprotection afforded by leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs).

Oral corticosteroids (CS) are standard treatment for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) after treatment for acute asthma. Several recent, relatively small trials have investigated the replacement of CS with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), with varied results and conclusions. This systematic review examined the effect of using ICS in place of CS on outcomes in this setting.

One of the major goals of bronchodilator therapy in patients with COPD is to decrease airflow limitation in the airways and, as a consequence, improve dyspnea and exercise tolerance. The focus of this systematic review is to assess the effects of treatment with beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and theophyllines on dyspnea, and steady-state and incremental exercise capacity. Thirty-three, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies written in English were selected. This review shows that approximately half of the studies showed a significant effect of bronchodilator therapy on exercise capacity. Anticholinergic agents have significant beneficial effects in the majority of studies, especially when measured by steady-state exercise protocols. There is a trend toward a better effect of high-dose compared to low-dose anticholinergics. Short-acting beta(2)-mimetics have favorable effects on exercise capacity in more than two thirds of the studies; surprisingly, the situation is less clear for long-acting beta(2)-agents. The majority of the results of the published reports on theophyllines and their effects on exercise are negative. Direct comparisons of different classes of bronchodilators have not been made in a sufficient number of studies for a rational preference. The addition of a second bronchodilator has no proven advantage for improving exercise test results, but this has not been studied extensively and not in sufficiently large studies. The majority of studies reporting a measure of dyspnea found improvements, even in the absence of improvement in exercise capacity.

To systematically review the evidence examining the use of incentive spirometry (IS) for the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs).

To assess, by systematic review, the efficacy and safety of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in the treatment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A secondary objective is to assess the optimal dose and route of administration of rt-PA.

To evaluate the causes, risk factors, and mortality rates associated with unexpected readmission to medical and surgical ICUs.

Intracardiac thrombus formation is a rare but serious complication of Behçet's disease. We aimed to review the clinical and pathologic correlates of cardiac thrombus formation in the context of Behçet's disease.

Patient compliance, inhalation devices, and inhalation techniques influence the effectiveness of inhaled medications.